Parallax of Darkness


Fiction - Science Fiction
217 Pages
Reviewed on 04/05/2019
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Parallax of Darkness by Drew Barnett is an interesting read in the tradition of Christian Jacq, a narrative that is beautifully researched and that explores the tenets of Egyptian history and core beliefs. Tim Adams and Evelyn Davidson are archaeologists exploring the hidden gems of ancient Egypt when two tablets discovered in the depths of the Great Pyramid at Giza change everything. This discovery could alter the course of history and even more. The tablets may lead to secrets of governments and religions, but there is much more to them than meets the eye. To unravel the mystery, they have to travel back in time to when religion and law were one and when destiny was sanctioned by this. In the heart of their quest is an even deeper question: man’s ultimate purpose. Tim and Evelyn may finally get the key to remaking history, but they might also end up endangering their lives in ways they never could have imagined.

Drew Barnett has done a great job in researching this novel. Parallax of Darkness features compelling characters and readers will enjoy the sense of curiosity demonstrated by the key characters in the story. They are elaborately developed and the story moves in directions that readers won’t expect. One of the things that caught my attention and that had me mesmerized is the way the author explores elements of the setting, unveiling wonderful images of ancient Egypt and exploring a world that sounds like a legend to contemporary readers. This book transports readers to ancient times and confronts them with powerful questions about life, faith, and destiny. Parallax of Darkness is an interesting read, exciting and filled with adventure.

K.C. Finn

Parallax of Darkness is a short novel penned by author Drew Barnett and is set in the realm of science fiction. Written for adults due to its complex themes, this novel mixes past and present as we begin with an exploration into the society and culture of ancient Egypt. Archaeologists Tim Adams and Evelyn Davidson discover a pair of mysterious tablets at the Pyramids of Giza, and this simple discovery begins an amazing chain of events which could alter the course of human history forever. These stones have unraveled governments and religions in the past, and now their re-emergence spells big trouble for the future.

Author Drew Barnett packs a lot into a short space for this novella-length work which explores time, society, history and the human condition itself. Tim and Evelyn are quite well developed as our main protagonists, but this is very much a plot-driven story where characters are set aside for us, as readers, to engage with the material and explore the mysteries of ancient civilizations for ourselves. It was interesting to see the impact of the secrets as different aspects unfolded, and how it all fitted into real historical events which we know about today. There are some harrowing and exciting moments in the story where it gets a little graphic or frightening, but for the most part the journey is one of intrigue and philosophical considerations about society and human existence. Overall, Parallax of Darkness is a short and thought-provoking novel suitable for fans who want to think their way through the novel with its heroes.

Lit Amri

Can we fix the future by going back to the past? Archaeologists Tim Adams and Evelyn Davidson found a hidden chamber inside the Great Pyramid of Giza but are dismissed from the site by the authorities. Disgruntled, Evelyn takes two mysterious blue and green stones, that fell off from a stone block, back with her. As she and her mentor Tim find out more about the stones, they soon discover that they hold the fundamental secrets of humanity itself. Both archaeologists unwillingly become involved in the ancient conflict between two powerful organizations that try to prevent the end of the world in their own way.

Parallax of Darkness by Drew Barnett is a sci-fi tale with an interesting blend of Egyptian, biblical, and historical facts fictionalized into a well-structured and not overly complex plot. Topped with subjects of past life, astral projection-and my favorite subject of time travel-as well as the involvement of the enigmatic Illuminati secret society itself, the story line is more substantiated than it may seem with an intriguing, deft and relatable discussion regarding law and religion. On the other hand, there are also entertaining elements through suspenseful action and lighter moments.

Protagonists Tim, Evelyn, and their electrical engineer acquaintance Hugh are well fleshed out, including the antagonist, Christian. That said, I’m still curious about the Master and Rasmus, but clearly more will be revealed in the sequel. All in all, Drew Barnett’s Parallax of Darkness is a swift but thoughtful and enjoyable read. I look forward to the continuation of the story.

Liz Konkel

Parallax of Darkness by Drew Barnett is the first book in the Reality Paradox series. Two archaeologists make the discovery of a lifetime. Tim and Evelyn unearth two ancient tablets within a pyramid, only to discover the tablets hold more significance than they thought. Their discovery of a lifetime takes a dark turn when they end up as suspects in a mass murder and a mysterious man shows up to offer them escape. As they're drawn deeper into a conspiracy, they learn the truth of the tablets' history and learn of the possible end to the world.

Drew Barnett weaves an archaeological dig and history with time travel and action into a fun adventure. Evelyn and Tim's strange discovery sparks a chain of events that pulls the two directly into the middle of this ancient ploy. From the second they leave the pyramids with the tablets, a murder mystery is sparked and an action-packed escape when they're labeled the likely suspects. The action quickly takes off and doesn't slow down, opening up an exciting adventure rooted in history. The story is fun and suspenseful as the two archaeologists don't know who to trust and the more they try to get answers, the further they're drawn into this secret society. Everything connects to history and the fate of the world with Barnett blending several elements together which include conspiracy, a journey in time, and even biblical elements.

The characters remain feeling grounded throughout with Tim and Evelyn staying at the heart of the story. A few other characters play a significant role throughout, representing two sides, but Hugh is similar to Evelyn and Tim as someone who ends up being dragged into the middle. The Bible is woven in throughout from the Ten Commandments to a significant inclusion of Moses to the Ark of the Covenant, each playing a key role in the story. Part of the suspense is not knowing who to trust and who has a genuine motive, which is slowly revealed the further involved Evelyn and Tim get. Parallax of Darkness is an exciting read filled with action, adventure, history, time travel, and suspense.

Cheryl E. Rodriguez

Parallax of Darkness by Drew Barnett is a mind-boggling piece of science fiction. Evelyn Davidson and her mentor, Tim Adams, uncover two extraordinary stones in an excavation within the famous Pyramid of Giza. Before the day is over, the duo finds themselves forcibly removed from the archaeological site, accused of murder, and running for their lives. Escaping the authorities, Tim reconnects with Hugh, the nephew of an old friend. The trio becomes caught in the middle of an ancient secret feud. Trying to avoid the impending darkness, the two rival factions are in a race to rewrite history. To succeed, the archaic foes need what Evelyn and her friends possess; the future is in their hands.

Parallax of Darkness reveals the imagination of Drew Barnett. This piece of science fiction takes fiction to a new level. Indiana Jones meets Stargate! As a Christian, the plot scheme was far-fetched yet entertaining. Creative liberty was taken regarding biblical concepts; however, this is to be expected when redefining the history of mankind. Many historical speculations are woven into the narrative as well; the Fountain of Youth, El Dorado, the occult practices of the Nazis and the Knights Templar. The title is the nucleus of the narrative. In Parallax of Darkness, the world as we know it is displaced; it isn’t really as it seems, as a result, and there is a shift in thought.

The heroine and her faithful sidekicks’ discovery changes their perspective of life. The discovery not only creates two parallel points of view but two coinciding and colliding forces at work, thus generating an external and internal tug-of-war. As the conflict escalates, the permeating question becomes whose side are you on? 'Choose this day who you will serve' will forever be our greatest decision. Yet, this narrative goes beyond the whom to the when - do you rewrite history or embrace the undiscovered future?